The Illinois Arts Council was created 40 years ago by the Illinois General Assembly for the purpose of encouraging development of the arts throughout Illinois. This state agency, comprised of up to 21 private citizens appointed by the Governor for their demonstrated commitment to the arts, assists artists, arts organizations and other community organizations that present arts programming by providing financial and technical assistance. Funds are provided annually to the Council by the Illinois State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts. We are grateful to the Illinois Arts Council for its longstanding support of arts programming on WTTW.

For more than 90 years, The Chicago Community Trust has worked hand in hand with thousands of local residents who want to be part of a promising future for Chicago. Together with its donors, the Trust addresses the region’s pressing challenges and most promising opportunities. It has been a stalwart and dedicated supporter of Chicago area arts throughout its history and remains committed to funding programs that build and maintain vibrant cultural activities in the community. The Trust’s priorities include artistic and cultural excellence, arts education, audience development, capital and endowment campaign support, and organizational development through the Arts Work Fund and the Smart Growth program, which currently provides support for Artbeat on Chicago Tonight.

The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation supports organizations with the strength and commitment to address persistent problems of urban Chicago resulting from poverty, violence, ignorance and despair. We seek to build the capacity of individuals and the systems that serve them. Our vision is a Chicago that offers education, prosperity and hope for all. The Fry Foundation provided grants of support to Artbeat Chicago for eight seasons, and is currently underwriting Artbeat stories on Chicago Tonight. The Fry Foundation has supported WTTW programs for more than 20 years.

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is a private, independent, grantmaking institution dedicated to helping groups and individuals foster lasting improvement in the human condition. The MacArthur Foundation provided underwriting to Artbeat Chicago for six seasons, and is currently supporting arts stories on Chicago Tonight. It has supported WTTW programming for nearly a quarter of a century.